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Strengthening safe passage for migrants by improving access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Sexual and Gender Based Violence services in emergencies
Migration across South and Central America continues to pose significant challenges for migrants, particularly women, girls, and LGBTIQ+ individuals. These groups face heightened risks of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and barriers to accessing essential Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services. Recognising these urgent and evolving needs, hera partnered with IPPF under the Safe Passage Programme to design a new initiative by launching a strategic Call for Proposals through this comprehensive consultancy, laying a strong foundation for future interventions.
Shifting perceptions on safe abortion in Liberia
Unsafe abortion remains a major public health challenge in Liberia, contributing significantly to maternal mortality and undermining women’s rights and health. To better understand the social attitudes, knowledge, and norms shaping access to safe abortion and family planning, the Informal Working Group for Reproductive Health and Rights (IWG) commissioned a national research study: the Perception Survey on Social Norms on Access to Safe Abortion. Implemented by hera and NCG, the project aimed to fill critical evidence gaps and strengthen advocacy and policy reform efforts in the country.
Mapping strategic entry points for gender equality and SRHR in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon
In response to the evolving priorities of Sweden’s Regional Strategy for the Syria Crisis (2024–2026), a recent assignment was undertaken in partnership with the Nordic Consulting Group in Sweden to identify strategic entry points for strengthening gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. The objective was clear: to support Sida in aligning its funding and influence with the region’s most pressing needs, leveraging its longstanding commitment to transformative, rights-based programming.
Strengthening access to reproductive health commodities: hera’s evaluation of the Best Practices Grant
From 2020 to 2025, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), with funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), led a programme entitled “Establishing Best Practices for Government-Led Product Introductions” (referred to as the Best Practices Grant)—an ambitious £40 million initiative aimed at improving access to Reproductive Health (RH) commodities across several low- and middle-income countries.
hera was contracted by CHAI to conduct the final external evaluation of the BPG, with a mandate to capture lessons, assess results, and generate insights to inform both the FCDO’s final Programme Completion Review and future investments in RH market shaping.
Harnessing evidence for impact: hera’s evaluation of the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP)
hera was contracted to assess the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP).
Developing vulnerability assessment tools for sexual and reproductive health and rights services in humanitarian settings
With the goal of better integrating sexual and reproductive health and rights services (SRHR) into humanitarian responses, and improving access to services for vulnerable populations, hera led a consortium to develop a handbook for East and Southern Africa. The project aimed to create standardised tools for assessing vulnerability and its impact on SRHR service delivery.
Game Changers: Fostering maternal, newborn, adolescent and sexual and reproductive health through social and behaviour change communication strategies in Rwanda
In 2023, hera was contracted to develop and test social and behaviour change communication tools and strategies to enhance community awareness and participation in MNASRH services in Rwanda.
A roadmap for action: Launching the 2nd Milestone Scorecard for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
The 2nd Milestone Scorecard presents an important roadmap for future action. The insights provided in this data collection round show what’s working and provides crucial insights for shaping policies and health strategies, guiding us towards a future where sexual and reproductive health rights and services are accessible and upheld for all
DESIP National Family Planning in Kenya Learning Conference - Nov 27 & 28, 2023
This report evaluates Kenya's DESIP program, which boosts family planning access in 12 counties. It explores the program's impact on reducing unmet needs and fertility rates, especially for marginalized groups.
Fact sheet on the Maternal Health of Women and Girls of African Descent in the Americas
This fact sheet was developed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the support of a hera team that included Adria Armbrister, Marianne Eelens, and Alejandra Martinez.
Maternal, neonatal, adolescent, sexual and reproductive health in Rwanda
In 2022 hera was selected to support the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Barame project and conducted a knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) study to help identify gaps in community knowledge and utilization of health services related to maternal, neonatal, adolescent, sexual, and reproductive health, as well as providing recommendations for future development of communication and awareness strategies.
Gender, HIV and Youth Mainstreaming Strategy of the Seed Knowledge Initiative (SKI)
SKI is comprised of 16 partner organisations in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa with the aim of improving farmer-led seed knowledge systems and helping smallholder farmers to become more seed, food and nutritionally secure.
Mozambique - MTR cooperation Flanders Mozambique - Flanders BuZa
hera's MTR evaluated implementation progress, identified challenges, and provided recommendations for improvement. The findings helped shape the subsequent CSP phase, emphasizing innovation and addressing key healthcare issues.
External Evaluation of the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) 2013-2017
hera was selected to conduct the fourth external evaluation of the HRP covering the period from January 2013 to December 2017.
Universal Health Coverage for Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Asia-Pacific Region
The study of universal health coverage for sexual and reproductive health in the Asia-Pacific Region was undertaken by hera under contract by the United Nations Population Fund Asia and Pacific Regional Office.